Written Answers Nos. 149-173
149. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of applicants for Rebuilding Ireland home loans from County Cavan; the number that have been successful; the number that have been refused; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38644/21]
View answerThe Housing Agency provides a central support service which assesses applications for the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan on behalf of local authorities and makes recommendations to the authorities to approve or refuse applications. Each local authority must have in place a credit committee and it is a matter for the committee to make the decision on applications for loans, in accordance with the regulations, having regard to the recommendations made by the Housing Agency.
The most recent figures, as at the end of June 2021, from the Agency on the numbers of applications that it has assessed and recommended for approval for Cavan County Council since the scheme began, are provided below:
Applications Assessed 34
Recommended to Approve 15
Recommended to Decline 19
The next stages in the process are approval and drawdown from the local authority.
My Department regularly publishes information on the number and value of (i) local authority loan approvals and (ii) local authority loan drawdowns. Local authority approval means that an official letter of offer has been sent to a borrower (and therefore relates to a specific property and loan amount).
Figures for 2019 and 2020 are available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/42d2f-local-authority-loan-activity/#local-authority-loans-approvedpaid.
Figures for 2018 are also available through the link however these are not broken down by loan type. Figures for the first quarter of 2021 will be made available through this link in due course.
150. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of businesses in the Cavan County Council area that have had their rates waived; the number that have requested a waiver; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38645/21]
View answerOne of the earliest priorities for Minister O'Brien and I was to secure exchequer funding to support a waiver of commercial rates for businesses impacted by the pandemic, while simultaneously supporting local authorities. €900m was allocated by Government to fund the cost of a rates waiver from 27 March to 27 December 2020. This meant that for eligible businesses their commercial rates were funded by Government for nine months of 2020. This was an unprecedented measure, which offered support to businesses and financial certainty to local authorities.
Payments to the local authorities in respect of the 2020 waiver were completed in early 2021. A total of approximately €730m was distributed among the 31 local authorities. Cavan County Council waived commercial rates for nine months of 2020 on an estimated 1689 rate accounts, including 4 valid appeals, at a total cost of €5.97m, which was recouped from the Department.
Given the ongoing impacts of COVID-19 and the associated public health restrictions, and in order to continue supporting ratepayers and local authorities, the Government introduced a commercial rates waiver for the first nine months of 2021. This waiver applies to businesses most seriously affected by ongoing restrictions.
The businesses eligible for the waiver include:
- retail;
- hospitality including hotels, pubs and restaurants, leisure and entertainment;
- personal services such as hairdressers and barbers; and
- health services.
In recognition of the fact that there may be ratepayers excluded from the waiver that were severely impacted by the pandemic, it includes a provision that ratepayers not automatically eligible may engage directly with their local authorities, to demonstrate serious financial impact. In such circumstances ratepayers that are not automatically eligible, may also qualify. These applications are being reviewed by local authorities on a case by case basis.
The administration by local authorities of the 2021 waiver is ongoing and the information requested is not yet available regarding the 2021 waiver.
151. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he plans to end the strategic housing development planning system; if he will replace it with a new system for large scale developments or revert to the standard local authority planning process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38689/21]
View answer152. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the strategic housing development proposals at the pre-application consultation stage upon termination of the strategic housing development planning system will be permitted to advance to the application stage if the Board considers it to be a reasonable basis for application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38690/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 151 and 152 together.
Minister O'Brien brought a Memorandum to Government yesterday (13 July 2021), accompanied by a General Scheme of a Planning and Development (Amendment) (LSRD) Bill 2021 (the General Scheme), outlining proposals for the replacement of the current planning arrangements in respect of Strategic Housing Developments (SHDs) with new streamlined arrangements for large-scale residential developments (LSRDs). The proposed new arrangements will effectively restore decision-making on such large scale developments to local authorities in the first instance.
The proposed new LSRD arrangements will comprise 3 pillars: pre-application consultation stage, planning application stage and appeal stage, summarised as follows
- planning authorities will be required to complete the “final consultation meeting” element of the pre-application consultation stage, involving a bilateral meeting between the planning authority and the developer, within 8 weeks of the receipt of a request for such meeting;
- subsequent LSRD planning applications will be generally required to be determined by planning authorities within 8 weeks of receipt of an application;
- the determination of appeals against planning decisions by planning authorities will be generally required to be determined by An Bord Pleanala within 16 weeks of receipt of an appeal.
The application of these new arrangements is intended to streamline the decision making process for LSRDs, thereby providing greater certainty and clarity to developers regarding the timelines for decisions in respect of such development proposals.
The General Scheme also proposes a number of transitional arrangements in relation to the expiry of the SHD arrangements and their replacement by the new LSRD arrangements, most of which are contingent on the early enactment of the Bill. Under the proposals:
- a planning application for a SHD must be submitted to An Bord Pleanála (the Board) by 31 December 2021 at the latest, for proposals which have completed the SHD pre-application consultation process with the Board on or before 29 October 2021;
- 29 October 2021 will be the last day for requesting a SHD pre-application consultation request with the Board, with 25 February 2022 being the last date for submitting a subsequent SHD planning application to the Board in respect of those SHD proposals which complete the SHD pre-application consultation process after 29 October 2021.
Further details in relation to the proposals are set out in the General Scheme which is available on at: www.gov.ie/en/publication/a10f2-general-scheme-of-planning-and-development-amendment-lsrd-bill-2021/.
It is intended that the Bill will be enacted as soon as possible in the autumn with the new LSRD arrangements commencing on enactment of the Bill. The LSRD and SHD schemes will both operate concurrently for a limited period of time with developers being able to choose which process to engage with during this interim period. Once the final SHD planning applications have worked their way through the system, the LSRD arrangements will be the sole planning consent system for applications of this scale.
153. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent of the engagements that he has had with a person (details supplied) and the families of the Omagh bomb victims; the steps he has taken to commence a full cross-Border public enquiry into the Omagh bombing; and if he will engage with the victims’ families as the 23rd anniversary of the tragedy approaches in August. [38227/21]
View answerThe bombing at Omagh on 15 August 1998, 23 years ago next month, is among the most appalling acts of terrorist violence committed during the conflict in Northern Ireland.
It was a cowardly attack on innocent people enjoying a sunny afternoon in Omagh town centre. We must never forget those who lost their lives, those who were injured, and the families whose suffering for their lost loved ones continues to this day as a result of this bombing.
My Department has engaged regularly with victims’ groups in Omagh, including through the Reconciliation Fund, which has awarded €51,000 in total to the Omagh Support and Self-Help Group since 2005. Organisations like this and others supporting victims and their families across this island do crucial work.
In 2018, the then Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan carried out a comprehensive review of a submission from Omagh Support and Self Help Group calling for a Public Inquiry into the bombing. Minister Flanagan concluded that there was not significant new and credible evidence of wrongdoing on the part of the State or its agencies being put forward that would warrant the establishment of a public inquiry.
It is a matter of deep regret and disappointment that no one stands convicted of this atrocity. An Garda Síochána remains ready and willing to pursue any new or credible evidence that might be brought forward that could advance the investigation. I call on anyone who has any evidence that could assist the investigation to bring that evidence to the Gardaí.
The Government is continuing to work to support the implementation of the legacy framework provided for under the Stormont House Agreement, to provide families with a means to access whatever truth and justice that is possible in their cases, and as a very necessary step in achieving a fully reconciled society.
154. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the way in which parents of newborn children who have been unable to register their child’s birth can travel with their child for essential reasons to other countries in the coming period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30917/21]
View answerThe Passport Service scaled up to more normal operational levels on 4 May 2021, in line with the phased easing of restrictions set out in “COVID-19 Resilience and Recovery 2021 – The Plan Ahead”.
The Passport Service has a great deal of experience in dealing with peaks in demand, and we are confident, taking into account measures to ensure a safe workplace, that the commitment made to clear all applications on hand at the end of April within 6-8 weeks is on target to be met. Simple Adult Renewals continue to be processed within 10 working days.
All passport applications are subject to the provisions of the Passports Act, 2008 ("The 2008 Act"). The 2008 Act provides, among other things, that a person must be an Irish citizen before a passport can be issued to him or her. In order to meet this requirement, each person must demonstrate an entitlement to Irish citizenship by providing acceptable documentary evidence of this entitlement.
Entitlement to Irish citizenship is determined by the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, under which Irish citizenship may be obtained by birth, by descent, or by naturalisation.
Accordingly, the Passport Service is obliged to seek documentary evidence of Irish citizenship by birth, parentage/descent, or naturalisation before a passport application can be processed. It is not possible to recognise a person as an Irish citizen in the absence of such evidence.
The onus is on the applicant to provide documentation proving their entitlement to Irish citizenship. Birth Certificates which are issued by the General Register Office (GRO) must be submitted in support of a passport application to prove this entitlement. Neither baptismal certificates nor any other non-civil form of documentation can be considered in support of a first time passport application.
In the event that any applicant has urgent or emergency reasons for requiring a passport, the applicant should contact the Passport Service’s Customer Service Hub, by WebChat, to make the Passport Service aware of the situation.
155. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the engagement he or the agencies under his remit has had with the National Broadband Plan in the past two months. [38203/21]
View answerI have had no engagement with the National Broadband Plan in the past two months.
There are no agencies under the remit of my Department.
156. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when processing will resume for the foreign births register; if applications can be submitted currently; the approximate turnaround time for an application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38228/21]
View answerMy Department is responsible for citizenship by descent through the Foreign Births Register. Prior to COVID-19 it took twelve to eighteen months to process applications. This was due to the complex nature of FBR applications and the very high volume of applications due to Brexit.
At present, there are just over 30,000 applications in the Foreign Births Registration (FBR) system that await processing. In 2020, over 16,000 applications were made online, with nearly 12,500 approvals. This is a significant decrease in applications compared to 2019, where over 32,000 applications were made online, with nearly 18,500 approvals.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Passport Service has had to prioritise the provision of emergency passport services, in full compliance with the Government guidelines. The Passport Service commenced the scaling up of operations on 4 May 2021 in line with the phased easing of restrictions set out in “COVID-19 Resilience and Recovery 2021 – The Plan Ahead”.
The Service has been focused since then on four priority areas.
- Clearing the COVID-19 backlog of 89,000 passport applications.
- Processing all adult renewal applications (including new applications) within 10 working days.
- Processing urgent and emergency applications.
- Providing customer services through our telephone and web chat team.
Very substantial progress has been made in clearing the COVID-19 backlog: all backlog applications which were completed properly have been processed and related passports issued.
The Passport Service will resume processing FBR applications as soon as possible. The Department is committed to allocating further resources to this service to assist with the high volume of applications when regular processing resumes with a focus on reducing turnaround times to pre COVID-19 levels by the end of 2021. In the meantime, in cases of exceptional urgency applicants may continue to contact the Passport Service directly.
157. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if there are guidelines, written procedures or protocols or key performance indicators for acknowledgement of correspondence received and response to correspondence received, respectively by category of correspondence (details supplied) in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38243/21]
View answerMy Department takes the quality and standard of our interactions with the public and their elected representatives very seriously. Whether it is through the provision of consular or passport services to Irish citizens, at home and abroad, or answering queries from members of the public or their elected representatives, my Department has produced several policies underpinning its desire to provide excellent customer service.
Interactions through correspondence, with members of the Oireachtas and members of the public, are primarily governed by my Department's Customer Service Charter. It outlines my Department’s commitment to:
- Being responsive and professional in dealing with all correspondence,
- Treating everyone fairly and impartially,
- Using clear and simple language in all communications,
- Dealing with enquires efficiently,
- Respecting privacy and confidential information.
The Customer Service Action Plan of my Department provides greater detail on the expected standards for acknowledgement of correspondence. As set out in this Plan, my Department endeavours to acknowledge all correspondence, be it from a member of the public or a member of the Oireachtas and regardless of whether or not it was solicited, within ten days.
My Department has also produced an Unreasonable Customer Communication Policy, which reaffirms our dedication to high quality customer service, but also outlines the types of communications that are unacceptable and the expected response to such communications.
158. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he plans to visit the United States of America before the end of quarter 3 2021. [38286/21]
View answerStrengthening bilateral relations with the US is a priority for Ireland as set out in our Programme for Government as well in our Strategy for the US and Canada (2019-2025). This Government has had a range of high level contacts with President Biden's Administration since it entered office. This includes the Taoiseach's virtual meetings with President Biden and Vice President Harris, among others, on St. Patrick's Day.
I hope to visit the US again soon, once there is an opportunity do so. My last visit was in September 2020 when I travelled to the US for a series of engagements in Washington D.C. This included meetings with representatives from the Administration, as well as with members of Congress, both Democrats and Republicans, from the House of Representatives and the Senate.
This year, I have had a range of contacts with the US Administration, including speaking with my US counterpart, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, on a number of occasions since he took office. Most recently, on 24 May, I met separately with both Secretary Blinken and with National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan, in Shannon.
I am delighted to hear that President Biden has nominated a new US Ambassador to Ireland, Massachusetts State Representative Claire Cronin, and I look forward to welcoming her to Ireland, once the Senate has confirmed her appointment.
Ireland has always maintained close relations with the US, across the political spectrum, and will continue to do so, including through our Embassy in Washington D.C., our other diplomatic missions across the US, and through the US Embassy in Dublin. This engagement extends to our contacts at federal, state, city and local levels.
159. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department will run advertisements on the national print media and national radio stations reminding persons to check that their passports are still in date prior to booking flights abroad. [38287/21]
View answerMy Department has no plans at this time to run advertisements on the national print media and national radio stations reminding persons to check that their passports are still in date prior to booking flights abroad.
160. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the additional staff by grade that have been recruited by his Department for Expo 2020 in Dubai commencing in October 2021; the staff by grade that have yet to be filled; and when these posts will be filled in tabular form. [38288/21]
View answerFollowing a pandemic enforced postponement of one year, Expo 2020 will commence on 1 October 2021. Over 180 countries will be present at Expo, and Ireland’s participation will be a central plank in the country’s economic recovery as it is a unique platform to showcase Ireland to a global audience, and promote Ireland as a good place to invest, visit, study, work and do business. Expo will be a driver of Ireland’s recovery and renewal in the post Covid global landscape, and is a key component of our Global Ireland Programme.
Our presence at Expo Dubai will highlight Irish creativity, innovation, and culture, and will provide a multiplicity of trade, investment and tourism opportunities for Ireland internationally. Expo will also facilitate significant bilateral engagement with participating countries throughout the six month event.
To date, the following staff, based in Dubai, have been recruited or assigned to support Ireland’s participation in Expo 2020.
|
Title |
Grade |
|
Commissioner General |
Temporary contract - Principal Officer |
|
Pavilion Manager |
Temporary contract - Assistant Principal Officer |
|
Pavilion Administrator |
Executive Officer (temporary assignment) |
In addition, staff in our Embassy in Abu Dhabi and in the Global Ireland Division at Headquarters in Dublin are engaged on a project basis to support Ireland’s presence at Expo.
The Department is in the final stages of contracting a service provider, following a competitive tender process, to provide operatives and associated service staff to operate Ireland’s Pavilion at Expo. This will ensure the smooth and efficient running of the Irish Pavilion and the programme of events that will take place there. Currently, it is envisaged that 20 temporary staff, hired locally on short-term contracts, will be required for the operation of the Pavilion. It is expected that these staff will commence work in early autumn.
161. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has spoken with the Singapore Foreign Minister to date in 2021. [38289/21]
View answerIreland and Singapore have enjoyed close and fruitful diplomatic relations since 1974. Ireland's resident Embassy in Singapore, which was opened in 2000, is now located together with regional offices for IDA Ireland, Bord Bia and Enterprise Ireland within an "Ireland House".
Singapore remains one of the most economically and politically important countries in South East Asia and cooperation between our nations flourishes in the areas of education, trade, investment, culture and tourism, among others. There is considerable scope for economic ties to develop further and I am pleased to note a 4.4% increase in goods exports to Singapore between 2019 and 2020.
While I have not spoken directly with Minister Balakrishnan yet this year, my Department engages continually with Singapore on a range of bilateral and multilateral priorities. Singapore is a key member of ASEAN and at the Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg on 21 June, I highlighted the importance of increased bilateral engagement with ASEAN member states as well as regional engagement with ASEAN following the recently agreed ASEAN/EU Strategic Partnership.
162. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress to date in processing a passport application for a person (details supplied); when the application will be brought to a conclusion and the passport issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38348/21]
View answerWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has already issued this passport.
The Passport Service scaled up operational levels on 4 May 2021, in line with the phased easing of restrictions set out in “COVID-19 Resilience and Recovery 2021 – The Plan Ahead”.
Passport Online will continue to be the priority channel given the efficiencies that are in-built into the system for both the applicant and the Passport Service. The processing of an online application is up to four times as fast as a paper application. In addition, the use of Passport Online can facilitate social distancing, given that a renewal application for an adult does not require the signature of a witness.
Passport Online can be accessed by first time applicants, both children and adults, in Ireland, Northern Ireland, Great Britain, Europe, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the USA. All Irish citizens, including children, can use the online system to renew their passports from anywhere in the world.
The Passport Service has a great deal of experience in dealing with peaks in demand, and we are confident, taking into account measures to ensure a safe workplace, that the Passport Online applications on hand can be cleared in six to eight weeks.
163. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason for the delay in obtaining passports for children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38378/21]
View answerThe Passport Service commenced the scaling up of operations on 4 May 2021 in line with the phased easing of restrictions set out in “COVID-19 Resilience and Recovery 2021 – The Plan Ahead”.
The Service has been focused since then on four priority areas.
- Clearing the COVID-19 backlog of 89,000 passport applications.
- Processing all adult renewal applications (including new applications) within 10 working days.
- Processing urgent and emergency applications.
- Providing customer services through our telephone and web chat team.
Very substantial progress has been made in clearing the COVID-19 backlog: all backlog applications which were completed properly have been processed and related passports issued. As regards incomplete COVID-19 backlog applications, the Passport Service has been in contact with the applicants regarding the need to send in outstanding documents. Once all outstanding required documentation is received, issuance of passports will be expedited.
The Deputy will appreciate that processing of applications for Irish citizen children is particularly complex, given that the consent of all guardians must be obtained and fully verified before any application can be approved and a passport issued. Over the last two months as the Passport Service has scaled up its operations, renewal of a child’s passport has taken on average 16 days, in cases where the application was completed properly. The Passport Service’s goal is to continue to scale up operations post Covid-19 and to return to normal levels of service as soon as possible.
I wish to highlight that our telephone and web chat services are available to all citizens whose passport applications have unfortunately been affected by COVID-19 restrictions. Customers are encouraged to contact our Customer Service Hub if they require assistance urgently.
164. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of foreign birth applications that were processed in each of the years 2018 to 2020 and to date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38394/21]
View answerMy Department is responsible for citizenship by descent through the Foreign Births Register. Prior to COVID-19 it took twelve to eighteen months to process applications. This was due to the complex nature of FBR applications and the very high volume of applications due to Brexit.
At present, there are just over 30,000 applications in the Foreign Births Registration (FBR) system that await processing. With regard to the specific query on applications received, please see the below table
|
Year |
Number of applications processed |
|
2018 |
17,500 |
|
2019 |
18,500 |
|
2020 |
12,500 |
|
2021 (year to date) |
3,000 |
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Passport Service has had to prioritise the provision of emergency passport services, in full compliance with the Government guidelines. The Passport Service commenced the scaling up of operations on 4 May 2021 in line with the phased easing of restrictions set out in “COVID-19 Resilience and Recovery 2021 – The Plan Ahead”.
The Service has been focused since then on four priority areas.
- Clearing the COVID-19 backlog of 89,000 passport applications.
- Processing all adult renewal applications (including new applications) within 10 working days.
- Processing urgent and emergency applications.
- Providing customer services through our telephone and web chat team.
Very substantial progress has been made in clearing the COVID-19 backlog: all backlog applications which were completed properly have been processed and related passports issued.
The Passport Service will resume processing FBR applications as soon as possible. The Department is committed to allocating further resources to this service to assist with the high volume of applications when regular processing resumes with a focus on reducing turnaround times to pre COVID-19 levels by the end of 2021. In the meantime, in cases of exceptional urgency applicants may continue to contact the Passport Service directly.
165. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the way his Department and public bodies and agencies under his remit are implementing Action 16 of the National Disability and Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021 (details supplied). [38481/21]
View answerThe Department of Foreign Affairs is fully committed to ensuring the promotion of accessibility and universal design principles with regard to all aspects of our public service delivery. My Department’s forthcoming ICT Strategy 2021-2025 will ensure accessibility is a priority in the development of new ICT services and systems, including assistance for colleagues with disabilities. Similarly, the Department takes its obligations in relation to web accessibility, including online service delivery, very seriously, and we are committed to meeting the requirements as set out in S.I. No. 358/2020 – European Union (Accessibility of Websites and Mobile Applications of Public Sector Bodies) Regulations 2020. Regular reviews of our websites is carried out to monitor progress and quality in this regard. We strive to achieve AA standard under WCAG 2.1 Guidelines.
Through our dedicated websites, my Department also provides users with the opportunity to directly contact the Department’s Disability Liaison Officer should they require support in accessing any service. Service users can also use this platform to provide feedback/complaints to the Disability Liaison Officer on any aspect of the delivery of our services. When communicating with the public, my Department follows the recommendations of the National Adult Literacy Agency in using plain language and has staff trained in delivery of services through Irish Sign Language. When completing a Passport Online application, a specific option is also available for applicants to select if they have difficulties, for example supplying a passport photo that meets our requirements, for instance in the case of a disability that makes it difficult to get a passport photo taken.
Lastly, my Department rolled out comprehensive disability awareness training to all staff in March 2021. This training will further assist with raising awareness of disabilities and the importance of accessibility and universal design in all areas of my Department’s work.
166. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the way his Department and public bodies and agencies under his remit are implementing Action 32 of the National Disability and Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021 (details supplied). [38510/21]
View answerThe Department of Foreign Affairs is fully committed to equality of opportunity in all its employment practices and in the delivery of its services in line with the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015, Equal Status Acts 2000-2018, Disability Act 2005 and the National Disability Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021. My Department is also guided by the Code of Practice for the Employment of People with a Disability in the Irish Civil Service. Through the Department’s Disability Liaison Officer my Department continues to engage with relevant organisations, in particular with the National Disability Authority, Ahead, and AsIAm, amongst others, to ensure best practice in the employment of people with disabilities and in the delivery of services to members of the public.
Through our dedicated websites, my Department provides users with the opportunity to directly contact the Department’s Disability Liaison Officer should they require support in accessing any service. Service users can also use this platform to provide feedback/complaints to the Disability Liaison Officer on any aspect of the delivery of our services. When communicating with the public, my Department follows the recommendations of the National Adult Literacy Agency in using plain language. The Passport Office was previously the recipient of a NALA award for the use of plain English. My Department has also ensured that a number of staff working in the Passport Office are trained in Irish Sign Language to meet our obligations under the Irish Sign Language Act 2017.
My Department also attaches the highest priority to ensuring the Department’s buildings at home and abroad are accessible to people with disabilities and the Department’s next Property Strategy, currently in development, will privilege universal access. Most recently, my Department engaged a specialist access consultant to audit the Passport Office on Mount Street and to report back on the conditions of its accessibility. AsIAm were also hired to conduct a sensory audit of the same office. The reports and recommendations are being considered by my Department’s Property Management Unit.
As part of our commitment to increase disability awareness amongst staff as set out in the National Disability Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021, my Department recently launched a comprehensive online Disability Awareness Training programme for all staff. This training complements training provided to staff engaged in the delivery of services to members of the public and was facilitated by an external consultant with extensive experience in area of disability awareness and training. On successful completion of the course, officers receive a Certificate of Completion which is valid for two years under the Disability Act 2005.
The Department will continue its efforts to improve the delivery of its services to all members of the public into the future, consulting with relevant stakeholders throughout.
167. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the actions being taken to best ensure parts of Northern Ireland do not return to violence as seen in 2021; the work being carried out between his Department and the relevant bodies in Northern Ireland to promote peace at this critical time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38597/21]
View answerThe achievements of the peace process must never be taken for granted and we will continue to work to protect and uphold the Good Friday Agreement in all circumstances, and to support the ongoing work of peace and deeper reconciliation.
The violent incidents that took place in early April 2021 in Northern Ireland were deeply concerning to all of us. They underscored the importance of continued dialogue to ensure that the hard won peace on this island is maintained.
There are democratic and legal means available to address everyone’s concerns, be they in relation to the outworking of Brexit and the Northern Ireland Protocol, or other issues. Where there are legitimate concerns, we will of course continue to listen and engage.
The importance of calm and measured leadership and of the two governments working together in support of the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement is clear. The UK and Irish Governments are co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement and peace process and as such it is vital that we work together to ensure its protection. I have continued to engage regularly on these issues with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, and with the Northern Ireland parties.
I was pleased to co-chair the British Irish Intergovernmental Conference (BIIGC) last month. The BIIGC is an important institution of the Good Friday Agreement, and it was positive both that it met for the first time since 2019, and that we agreed that it would be convened again in November.
Alongside East-West relations, economic and security cooperation and other shared ambitions, we were able to discuss how we can, together, best support the stability of all institutions of the Good Friday Agreement. There were also important discussions around the need to make progress on addressing the legacy of the past, and we announced the beginning of an intensive period of engagement on the issue with the Northern Ireland parties, and victims at its heart.
We look forward to continued engagement with counterparts from the Northern Ireland Executive through the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC).
The NSMC is essential to oversee and develop North South cooperation on matters of mutual interest. Two successful NSMC plenary meetings have now taken place, as well as a number of Sectoral meetings at Ministerial level, and progress continues across the breadth of North-South areas of cooperation. It is regrettable that it was necessary to postpone the plenary meeting of the North South Ministerial Council scheduled for 18 June, but planning is underway for this to take place in the weeks ahead.
The Irish Government is continuing to progress the commitments that were made at the time of the New Decade New Approach Agreement, which are focused on working with the Executive to deliver projects that benefit people across the island, including greater connectivity between North and South; investing in the North West region and in border communities; supporting the Irish language in Northern Ireland; and supporting reconciliation as an integral part of the Peace Process. The first implementation review meeting took place in January of this year, which I attended with representatives of the British Government and the Executive. We reaffirmed our shared commitment to the Peace Process.
Furthermore, the Department’s Reconciliation Fund plays a key part in demonstrating in a very practical and tangible way the Government’s commitment to peace and reconciliation on the island of Ireland. The Reconciliation Fund awards grants to 150-200 projects each year, supporting projects across the community, voluntary, and higher education sectors.
The majority of grants are awarded to groups working within Northern Ireland. These projects build meaningful links across communities, addressing the issues that are impacting on their lives, including sectarianism, and are working to create better understanding between people and traditions on the island of Ireland and between Ireland and Britain.
168. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if there have been discussions with the British authorities since the recent decision of the Northern Ireland Public Prosecution Service to discontinue the prosecution of a soldier in relation to murders in Derry on Bloody Sunday in 1972 in view of the widespread concerns on these issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38618/21]
View answerI am aware of the decision taken by the Public Prosecution Service of Northern Ireland not to proceed with the prosecution of 'Soldier F' in relation to charges of murder and attempted murder in Derry on Bloody Sunday, as well as the decision not to prosecute 'Soldier B' in connection with the fatal shooting of Daniel Hegarty also in Derry in 1972.
I know that this is deeply upsetting for all the families involved who have spent so many years in pursuit of justice for their loved ones and our thoughts are with all of them. I am aware there is ongoing due legal process, and as such it would not be appropriate to make any additional comment other than to underline the principle that all victims’ families must have access to an effective investigation and to a process of justice in accordance with the law and regardless of the perpetrator.
Officials from my Department are keeping in contact with the families at this time on behalf of the Government.
It is essential that we make progress in addressing the legacy of the past in Northern Ireland. Our position is that the Stormont House Agreement, which was agreed by the two Governments and political parties, provides the framework to address the legacy of the Troubles. Where the British Government are proposing significant changes to that framework, these must be discussed and agreed by both Governments and the parties to the Northern Ireland Executive. Only through a collective approach can we hope to deal with these issues comprehensively and fairly.
At the British Irish Intergovernmental Conference on 24 June last, we agreed to begin a process of intensive engagement on legacy with the UK Government and the Northern Ireland political parties. The first meetings at working group level have taken place, and meetings should continue throughout the period ahead.
In this current process, the UK Government will have an opportunity to explain their proposals and concerns, as will the parties. The position of the Government has consistently been and remains that the Stormont House Agreement is the way forward, and that where there are concerns around its implementation, we remain open to collective discussion. The objective of this is to find a way forward that can be agreed and that can see progress for families who have been waiting for truth and justice for their loved ones.
169. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if passport services have resumed; the status of an application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38637/21]
View answerWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service was in contact with the applicant on 13 July to provide an update on the status of the passport application and this case is under active review.
The Passport Service scaled up operational levels on 4 May 2021, in line with the phased easing of restrictions set out in “COVID-19 Resilience and Recovery 2021 – The Plan Ahead”.
Passport Online will continue to be the priority channel given the efficiencies that are in-built into the system for both the applicant and the Passport Service. The processing of an online application is up to four times as fast as a paper application. In addition, the use of Passport Online can facilitate social distancing, given that a renewal application for an adult does not require the signature of a witness.
Passport Online can be accessed by first time applicants, both children and adults, in Ireland, Northern Ireland, Great Britain, Europe, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the USA. All Irish citizens, including children, can use the online system to renew their passports from anywhere in the world.
The Passport Service has a great deal of experience in dealing with peaks in demand, and we are confident, taking into account measures to ensure a safe workplace, that the Passport Online applications on hand can be cleared in six to eight weeks.
170. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has spoken recently with the President of the United States of America regarding the appointment of a special envoy to Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38695/21]
View answerThe Government is continuing to work together with President Biden and the US Administration on our strong and positive bilateral agenda, including in relation to Northern Ireland and the Good Friday Agreement.
A longstanding commitment to peace on the island of Ireland continues to be felt strongly in the United States. The Good Friday Agreement and the Peace Process in Northern Ireland are not simply an achievement of the Irish and British Governments and the political representatives of the people of Northern Ireland, but one to which successive US Administrations and Members of Congress have also contributed.
The role of the US Special Envoy to Northern Ireland has been greatly valued by the Irish Government over many years. The appointment of a Special Envoy would be warmly welcomed by the Government. In any circumstances, the US will undoubtedly continue to play a vital role in supporting peace, stability and prosperity in Northern Ireland.
I am grateful that President Biden continues to make an important contribution to this ongoing effort, as he has done consistently throughout his career to date, and that the US continues to stand in support of the Good Friday Agreement.
The Government greatly values the continued support, friendship and engagement of the US on the Peace Process, and for the stability and prosperity of Northern Ireland. I know these messages were reiterated by the Taoiseach during his St. Patrick's Day engagements in the US in March.
I also met virtually with the Friends of Ireland Caucus in the US Congress in March, and in May with National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan. These meetings, as well as the recent statements from President Biden’s Administration, underline once again the bipartisan support from US’s most senior political figures for stability in Northern Ireland and safeguarding the gains of the Good Friday Agreement.
171. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Defence if he or his officials have spoken either in person or virtually to the head of a company (details supplied) since the contract was signed with the company in 2019 to provide aircraft to the Air Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38189/21]
View answerThe contract to purchase two Airbus C295 Maritime Patrol Aircraft was signed in December 2019 on behalf of the then Minister with Responsibility for Defence, Mr Paul Kehoe, T.D. by the former Secretary General, Mr Maurice Quinn and the former Assistant Secretary General, Mr Des Dowling. There have been no official meetings with the person (details supplied) since I was appointed as Minister for Defence in June 2020 or with my predecessor since the contract was signed in 2019.
However, there is ongoing regular engagement at Programme Manager level between the civil and military joint project team officials in my Department and members of the Air Corps with the project team members in Airbus Defence and Space. I am advised that work is progressing on the manufacturing and fit out of the new aircraft and the project is on track with delivery scheduled for 2023.
172. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Defence if the mid-life refit of LÉ Niamh has commenced; the length of time the vessel will be out of service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38190/21]
View answerThe White Paper on Defence sets out an ambitious programme of capital investment including mid-life refit and upgrade of the P50 class vessels, LÉ Róisín and LÉ Niamh.
The P50 class of vessels in the Naval Service ship flotilla were built in Appledore Shipyard in the UK. LÉ Róisín (P51) was commissioned in 1999, with LÉ Niamh (P52) commissioned in 2001. The service life of an Irish Naval Service ship is determined by the level of operational activity. It is, however, normal practice in a ship’s life to carry out a Mid-Life Extension Programme so as to extend the useful life of a ship to thirty (or more) years.
LÉ Niamh is commencing a pre-planned Mid Life Extension Programme of works, similar to one recently completed on LÉ Roisin which has returned into operational service. LÉ Niamh will return to maritime defence and security operations on completion of works. The timeframe for the works is expected to be between 12 to 18 months and this will be kept under review due to the impact of Covid. The works programme for LÉ Niamh is expected to follow similar upgrades and refit works as LÉ Róisin.
I am satisfied that the Defence Forces have the necessary resources available to them, including a modern and effective range of equipment which is line with best international standards in order to fulfil all roles assigned to them by Government.
173. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Defence the engagement he or the agencies under his remit has had with the National Broadband Plan in the past two months. [38198/21]
View answerI can confirm that neither my Department or any agency under the aegis of my Department have had any engagement with the National Broadband Plan in the past two months.
